Duane Lauren Smith

Duane Lauren Smith, 82, died March 31, 2015, at the Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage following brief complications from an existing heart condition.

He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Dixie (Gaedtke) Smith; son, Gregory Smith; daughter, Sondra Smith; sister, Charlene Hammett; brothers, Kenneth Smith and Douglas Smith; and a large, extended family and many friends.

Duane was born in Carlton, Minn. He came to Alaska at the age of 2 with his parents, Lauren and Hollis (Johnson) Smith, on the St. Mihiel in May of 1935 with the first wave of colonists to Seward.

Duane was raised on his family’s homestead in the area now known as the Butte. He attended Palmer School, where he graduated in 1951. Following high school, Duane worked on colony farms and for the co-op in Palmer. He also operated a bulldozer for the Knik Road project and worked on his family’s sawmill, cutting and hauling timber for the Jonesville Coal Mine.

Duane moved to Mankoman Lake in 1955, where he and his family made their homes, building a lodge and several cabins before Duane became a registered big-game guide.

Duane married his sweetheart, Dixie, in 1970, and a year later they moved to Gakona, where Duane began working for the Bureau of Land Management. He also worked at several local lodges and continued to work as a big-game guide. Duane was awarded a U.S. Mail contract in 1973, and for 32 years drove the longest star route box delivery in the United States.

Duane retired and returned to the Matanuska Valley in 2005, where he enjoyed fishing and gardening in his free time. He had an active family life.

At his request, there will be no formal services. Duane will be cremated and his ashes spread over Gakona, the small town he considered home. A celebration of life for friends and family will be held at a later date.